USA– September 30, 2025
The landscape of the WNBA Playoffs has been decisively reshaped, as the No. 4 seeded Phoenix Mercury completed a stunning upset over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, clinching a spot in the 2025 WNBA Finals. Following their dramatic semi-final series victory, the Mercury have leapfrogged the Las Vegas Aces in the latest betting lines to become the new favorites to win the WNBA Championship.
This marks Phoenix’s first trip to the Finals since 2021, and they are now just one series away from securing the franchise’s fourth WNBA title. The Mercury will await the winner of the highly anticipated Game 5 showdown tonight between the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever.
Historic Comeback Seals the Deal
Phoenix secured its Finals berth with an electrifying 86-81 victory over the Lynx in Game 4 of the best-of-five semi-finals. The win was a testament to the Mercury’s resilience, as they overcame a daunting 13-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Mercury outscored the shell-shocked Lynx 31-13 in the final frame, demonstrating the ‘championship DNA’ that now has bookmakers favoring them to go all the way.
The series victory was earned against a short-handed Minnesota team that was missing All-Star forward Napheesa Collier due to an ankle injury and head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was serving a one-game suspension for comments made about officiating. Despite the circumstances, Phoenix’s dramatic fourth-quarter surge—a pattern of their playoff run—confirmed their status as a legitimate title contender.
The new-look Mercury, a team rebuilt with a completely new identity this season, is centered on a trio of phenomenal talents who delivered clutch performances in the decisive game:
* Alyssa Thomas flirted with a triple-double, leading the comeback with 23 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. Her veteran playmaking and tenacious defense at the point of attack were crucial in erasing the large deficit.
* Satou Sabally maintained her explosive playoff form, contributing 21 points and keeping the Mercury in the game through the first half.
* The veteran DeWanna Bonner stepped up in the final minutes, scoring 11 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, including two momentum-shifting three-pointers that secured the lead for good.
Headline Points on the Title Race
* New Favorites: After eliminating the No. 1 seed, the Phoenix Mercury now hold the best odds (-115) to win the 2025 WNBA Championship, replacing the Las Vegas Aces (+110) atop the title forecast.
* Championship Pedigree: This is the Mercury’s sixth Finals appearance in franchise history, tied for the second-most all-time, highlighting a return to the franchise’s winning culture.
* Finals Format: The 2025 WNBA Finals will feature a best-of-seven format for the first time in league history, beginning this Friday, October 3.
* Awaiting an Opponent: Phoenix will face the winner of tonight’s do-or-die Game 5 clash in Las Vegas between the Aces and the Indiana Fever.
* Rebound Season: The Mercury’s run caps an incredible turnaround, as the team finished with a 27-17 record—a significant improvement from their 2024 first-round exit—and has already taken down the reigning champion New York Liberty and the top-seeded Lynx in the playoffs.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
The Mercury’s dramatic journey, which included overcoming the defending champion New York Liberty in the first round, has showcased a blend of star power, depth, and timely defense. They have proven they can win close games and battle back from adversity, a necessary trait for any championship contender.
Regardless of whether they face the dynamic scoring of the Aces’ A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young or the resilient, underdog grit of the Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, Phoenix enters the Finals with significant momentum and a strong collective belief. With the WNBA Finals tipping off this Friday, the Phoenix Mercury are now firmly in control of their own destiny to secure the 2025 WNBA crown.
